Coleus amboinicus Lour., Fl. Cochinch.: 372. 1790.
≡ Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 2: 690. 1825. Type: Rumphius plate in Herb. Amb. 5, t. 102 / 2. 1750 (lectotype designated by Cramer [1978]); Thailand, Pai District, Mae Hong Son, 25 May 1921. F. Kerr s. n. (epitype BM, designated by Suddee et al. [2004]).
= Coleus amboinicus var. violaceus Gürke, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 19: 210. 1894. Type: Tanzania, Moshi District, Dschallasee [Lake Chala], Jun 1893, G. Volkens 321 (syntype B destroyed; isosyntype BM, K [K 000431981]), & Pangani River, Jul 1893, G. Volkens 487 (syntype B destroyed; isosyntype BM, K).
Description.
Paton et al. (2009: 320), Paton et al. (2013: 262), as Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.
Distribution.
Kenya to South Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India.
Habitat and ecology.
Steppe, ca. 925 m elev.
Additional specimens.
DR. Congo, Lacs Edouard et Kivu, Kabare, bords du Lac Kivu, Sep 1914, J. Bequaert 5522 (BR).
Note.
Apparently, a rare species in Central Africa, known from a single collection. Other collections previously reported to this species were errors.